Page 51 - Golf World (February 2020)

HOME ADVANTAGE COUNTS TOO MUCH

But for the historic comeback in 2012, we’d be looking at six straight home
victories. Home advantage, with the partisan crowd and advantageous set-
up, has become too big an advantage and it will show this time.

THE US NOW HAVE A PLAN
Europe used to win in the States – 2012, 2004, 1995 –
but that was when the US had no plan and lacked unity.
The US have copied Europe and now go in with a plan
and a system – if not complete unity.

EUROPE’S TEAM HAVEN’T AGED WELL

Sergio, Stenson, Rose, Poulter and Casey will be 40, 44, 44, 44 and 43
respectively. We hope for one last hurrah but powers wane and the reduced
captain’s picks means they need to make it on merit or miss out.

EUROPE MAY BE ROOKIE HEAVY

Europe scaled down the captain’s picks from four to three, preferring
players who qualified to wildcards – a questionable decision that could
backfire if Europe ends up overloaded with rookies, as we saw at Hazeltine.

THE BAYING MOB WILL PLAY ITS PART
It is only a tiny minority, but add booze-fuelled patriots to a powder-keg
atmosphere and Europe have trouble. We need experienced heads who
stay cool. Would Rahm, Hatton and Willett thrive in such conditions?

THE US MIGHT YET IMPLODE

They have a plan but it only takes one ego-fuelled beef to undermine everything. Koepka and DJ have put their
2016 issues behind them, but Patrick Reed’s presence may yet help Europe.

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

Hey, we’re Europeans and sometimes the heart overrides the
head. Also, nine wins in the last 12 tournaments cannot count for
nothing. So we still believe. Alas, it’s more hope than expectation.

golfworldtop100.com | February 2020 Golf World 51